CAPA Fund's "Nutcracker" now available in Virginia classrooms through the Internet

This month, many Virginia schools are benefiting from a pilot program that's bringing classical arts to the classroom via the Internet.

The Community Alliance for the Performing Arts Fund in Williamsburg is streaming performances of its annual "Nutcracker" production into Virginia classrooms at no cost to schools.

"This opportunity opens the door for how we can bring professional quality artistic productions of all kinds to our children and youth," says Ron Boucher, CAPA Fund's Founding Co-Artistic Director. "For many Virginia school children, this will be their first exposure to a professional-level performance in the arts."

CAPA Fund is working with MVP Choice Programming, a New York-based media distribution and marketing company that provides high definition video content over the Internet. The performance is available in a video-on-demand format and can be viewed on personal computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones, as well as standard big screen monitors.

CAPA Fund's "Nutcracker," featuring guest soloists and students in the organization's American Youth Ballet Company, was taped in 2011 at the Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News. The project is being funded by contributions from CDYNE Corp. and CKS Financial, two Hampton Roads companies.

Ferne Glemby, who heads up Network Marketing and Production at MVP Choice's, says: "The exciting aspect of this project is that while its initial focus be will statewide, its potential reach is global."

Boucher says the program is being coordinated through the state education department and more than 400 schools have participated. Viewing dates are Dec. 4-19.

Naxos producer honored

Naxos recording producer Tim Handley has been nominated for a 2013 Grammy Award for Producer of the Year. His body of work includes four recordings on the Naxos label that feature JoAnn Falletta leading four different orchestras.

"I have always been very proud to work with Tim Handley, whose musicianship, intelligence and extraordinary recording skills have always produced CDs of superb quality," says Falletta.

Handley's collaborations with Falletta include "Hailstork: An American Port Of Call" with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra; "Ken Fuchs: Atlantic Riband; American Rhapsody; Divinium Mysterium" with the London Symphony Orchestra; "Gershwin: Piano Concerto In F; Rhapsody No. 2; I Got Rhythm Variations" with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; and "Holst: Cotswolds Symphony; Walt Whitman Overture" with the Ulster (Ireland) Orchestra.

The 2013 honors will be handed out Feb. 10 in Los Angeles.

'Camelot' coming up

January brings "Camelot," a joint production between Virginia Opera and Lyric Opera Virginia.

Though Lyric Opera initially planned to mount the Lerner and Loewe musical, the company ran into financial trouble and could not raise the needed capital. Virginia Opera stepped in and agreed to stage "Camelot" so that Lyric Opera subscribers would not be disappointed.

There will be one Peninsula performance at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, at the Ferguson Center for the Arts. Other performances will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Landmark Theatre in downtown Richmond.

Stage director Greg Ganakas, who made his Virginia Opera directorial debut in 1996 with Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel," will direct this production. Virginia Opera Resident Conductor and Chorus Master Adam Turner will serve as conductor.

The cast includes baritone Peter Kendall Clark as King Arthur, soprano Marissa McGowan as Queen Guenevere and baritone Eugene Brancoveanu as Sir Lancelot.

Tickets ranging from $35 to $100 for the Peninsula performance are available by calling 757-594-8752 or online at fergusoncenter.cnu.edu.

Cultural Alliance workshop

The Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads will present "The Changing Face of Philanthropy" on Jan. 24.

The workshop to be held in two locations will look at different aspects of fundraising, including how to use the Internet and how to reach the group of young givers called the Millennials.

The workshop is based on articles presented in the June 2012 issue of "Virginia Business." Sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach and from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center in Newport News.

In "The Generous Virginia Project — the Next Wave of Givers," Robert S. Rycroft, professor of economics at the University of Mary Washington, will examine who will replace nonprofits' aging contributors. Melina Davis-Martin founder and executive vice-president of Strategic Partnerships and the website, PlanG Holdings, will look at using the Internet to raise funds.

Cost is $15 for alliance members and $25 for non-members. To register, call 757-889-9479 or go online to http://www.culturalli.org.

Symphony Grant

Virginia Symphony is one of six orchestras nationwide to receive a $5,500 2012-2013 MetLife Governance Grant for Board Development from the League of American Orchestras. The grants provide financial support to strengthen board practices.

Board Chairwoman Jane Short says the grant is timely because the symphony board is about to begin "redefining the mission and vision of the organization." The funds will support a board retreat to discuss strategic planning.